In the rainforests of Madagascar lives a tiny yet remarkable creature: the satanic leaf-tailed gecko. Perfectly shaped and coloured to mimic a dead, decaying leaf, it can vanish on the forest floor in an instant.
Find out what’s so unusual about this small reptile – and the frankly bonkers methods it uses to escape predators.
What is the satanic leaf-tailed gecko?
The satanic leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus) is a master of disguise – the lizard's leaf-like tail is even complete with missing chunks, giving it the appearance of rotting foliage.
Its Latin name is just as mysterious as you might hope. Its genus name, Uroplatus, is the Latinisation of two Greek words for 'tail' and 'flat', but its specific name, phantasticus, is the Latin word for 'imaginary'. This represents the gecko’s unique, almost mythical status.
Where does it get its name?
The satanic leaf-tailed gecko is so called because of its devilish appearance – particularly the horn-like spines found just above its eyes.
Where can you find satanic leaf-tailed geckos?
Satanic leaf-tailed geckos are native (and endemic) to the island of Madagascar. They were discovered and named in 1888 by George Albert Boulenger, a Belgian-British zoologist who described and gave scientific names to over 2,000 new animal species.
They are usually found on the ground, and don’t tend to venture more than 3m above the forest floor at any time.
How big are satanic leaf-tailed geckos?
Adult satanic leaf-tailed geckos grow up to 9cm in length, including the tail.
What do they look like?
Satanic leaf-tailed geckos are usually mottled brown, and have a leaf-like tail to help camouflage them in Madagascar's forests.
Like most other geckos, the satanic leaf-tailed gecko doesn’t have eyelids – just a transparent covering over its eyes, which gives it an ominous appearance. It uses its tongue to lick its eyes to keep them moist and clear of debris.
Are they nocturnal?
Yes, satanic leaf-tailed geckos are nocturnal, feeding on insects at night.
How do they escape predators?
Besides their obvious camouflage, satanic leaf-tailed geckos are adept at avoiding predators through their behaviour, too. They are able to flatten their body to reduce the size of their shadow, and open their jaws wide to showcase their bright red mouth. They can also shed their tail to trick a predator.
They emit loud cries from their large, red mouths, which confuse predators.
How do they reproduce?
Satanic leaf-tailed geckos are like most other reptiles, in that they lay eggs.
What do they eat?
Satanic leaf-tailed geckos eat insects, particularly crickets and moths. Relatively little is known about their diet in the wild, however.
Top image: Satanic leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus) (credit: bbb/Getty Images)
